Men's Lacrosse season ends in MLC Tournament Championship game

AURORA, Ill. – Concordia Wisconsin held a three-goal lead midway through the third quarter, but Aurora proved to be too strong on Saturday afternoon during the Midwest Lacrosse Conference Tournament Championship game. The top-seeded Spartans finished the game on an 8-3 scoring run over the final 20 minutes of the game to win 13-11.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Aurora 13, Concordia Wisconsin 11
Location: Vago Field (Aurora, Ill.)
Records: Aurora 16-2, Concordia Wisconsin 12-5

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons looked to be in control of the intense contest, holding leads of 5-2 early in the second quarter and an 8-5 lead midway through the third period. However, the Spartans offense came to life and scored four-consecutive goals during a three minute stretch at the end of the third quarter to take a 9-8 lead.
- Aurora would score less than two minutes into the final 15 minutes of play before CUW marked back-to-back goals and knot the scoreboard at 10-10 with 9:22 to play. The Spartans took over down the stretch with three-straight goals to build a 13-10 advantage. The Falcons scored their final goal with 1:39 left in the game.
- The Spartans ended the contest with 20-of-26 faceoff wins, a 35-28 advantage in shots (25-16 on goal) and a slim 31-27 difference in ground balls. The visiting Falcons were whistled for eight faceoff violations.
- Neither team excelled with an extra man, as Aurora was 1-of-8 and CUW ended 1-of-6.
- Freshman Stephen Gregory (Louisville, Ky.) had a career game with five goals, while senior Matt Garvey (Winnipeg, Manitoba) tallied four goals. Seniors Marino Best (Nanaimo, British Columbia) and Mark Wilson (Calgary, Alberta) each had a goal, respectively. Senior Zachary Foster (Calgary, Alberta) assisted on a career-high three goals.
- Freshman Garrett Wohlford (Rochester, Minn.) made 12 saves and picked up a career-high eight ground balls in a complete game effort.
- Senior Justin Herold (Winnipeg, Manitoba) had a game-best three caused turnovers.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Falcons made their second-consecutive appearance in the MLC Tournament Championship game.
- CUW set the program's single season record for shots attempted (695), shots per game (40.88), saves (12.00) and save percentage (.607).
- Best ends his career with the program's single season record for goals (44) and goals per game (2.59). He also concludes his storied career tied with the program's career record for goals per game (1.96).
- Wohlford ends his impressive season with the program's single season record for saves (184), saves per game (10.82) and wins (12).
- Senior Danny Bundra (Lake Zurich, Ill.) ends his career with the program's career record for ground balls (368) and ground balls per game (5.58), and owns multiple season records for faceoffs.
- Wilson graduates from the program as the career leader in caused turnovers (79).
- Garvey concludes his four-year playing career as the program's all-time leader in games played (67).

THE OPPOSITION
- Jason Koziol tallied a team-high four goals and assisted on five markers for a game-best nine points. Trevor McNamara added a hat trick and assisted on four scores for the Spartans.
- Bailey Smith, Nick Glaser and Matt Sammarco each scored a pair of goals.
- Matt Smidlein won 19-of-25 faceoffs and picked up seven ground balls.
- Tyler Lombardi made five saves in net during a complete game winning effort.